Tank installation



March 1940- v. I. .HOOPER E AL 2,194,501

TANK INSTALLATION I Filed May 11, '1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 [7 yewfars 7 [1700 W 5 n i March 26, 1940. v. 1. HOOPER El Al.

TANK INS'TALLAT I 0N Filed May 11, 1938 March 26, 1940. v. I. HOOPER mu.

TANK INS TALLAT I ON Filed May 11, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 1 I izyezzzara March 26, 1940. P R ET AL 2,194,501

TANK INSTALLATION Filed May 11, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 III March 26, 1940. v, HQQPER r AL 2,194,501

TANK INSTALLATION 7 She ets-Sheet 5 Filed Hay ll, 1938 fi yeieians' z/ [.1700

,ve'r /700 [0a per Z56 IQJVLA March 26, 1940. v. HOOPER ET AL TANK INSTALLATION 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 11, 1938 March 26, 1940. HQQPER 5 AL, 2,194,501

TANK INSTALLATION Filed May 11, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jafarrffd" Patented Mar. 26, 1940 PATENT orrice TANK INSTALLATION Virgil I. Hooper,

Gordon,

Tex., and Louis G.

Hooper, Sarepta, Lag assignors to The Bastian- Blessing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 11, 19

13 Claims.

tank systems and in combination with a movable source of supply, such as a delivery truck tank or the like. A practical application of our invention is to buried tank systems such as are employed for the domestic use of propane, butane or liquids having similar characteristics.

One purpose is the provision of improved removable valve assemblies for loading fixed tanks ,and for permitting the return of gases from'the tank being loaded to the tank from which the load comes.

Another purpose is the provision of improved means for preventing tampering with the contents of a fixed tank and for preventing bootlegging or access to the tank for filling purposes or otherwise of unauthorized operators.

Another purpose is the provision of an im- 3 proved valve fitting combination for use with such tanks, which is employed in connection with a single passage member extending from such a tank.

Other purposes will appear from time to time,

in the course of the specification and claims.

We illustrate our invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein: I

Figure 1 illustrates in vertical-section a buried tank with our removable valve assembly in position:

Figure 2' is an enlarged section through the loading aperture of Figure 1, illustrating the a device with our removableloading valve assembly in position;

, Figure 3 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale illustrating .the tank in closed condition;

Figure 4 is a partial view of the structure shown in Figure 2, illustrating the tank closure in open position;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;;

Figure 6 is'a vertical section through a variant s5 structure'in which two of our valve assemblies are 38, Serial No. 207,421

employed, one for loading and one. for vapor return; I

Figure '7 is a section on an enlarged scale on the line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section on an enlarged scale taken 5 along the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 illustrates the application of a variant valve assembly to the tank;

Figure 10 is a detail illustrating the valve assembly of Figure 9 with the gauge structure applied;

Figure 11 is a vertical section through a variant form of tank, illustrating the complete system with the delivery tank truck in loading. relationship with the tank;

Figure 12 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through part of the structure shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a partial section similar to Figure 12, illustrating a; modification;

Figure 14 is a section on the line ll-ll of Figure 15;

Figure 15 is a section on the line l5--l5 of Figure 12; and

. Figure 16 is a section on the line lO-IS of Fig- 26 ure 15.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring first to Figure 1, l indicates a buried tank of the type which may be employed for 80 butane, propane or the like. It is herein shown as buried a substantial distance in the earth, indicated at 2. 3 is. a tank assembly well whereby the tank is put in communication with the surface. Upwardly extending from the tank is a ll single passage 4 having an upward extension 5 closed by any suitable fixed fitting 6 provided with a central aperture 1. The aperture is downwardly enlarged as at 8 and screw-threaded to receive the upper end of an eduction pipe 9. It so is also screw-threaded at its upper end as at ill to receive the closure plug] I. I2 indicates any suitable valve at the bottom of the eduction pipe 9. It is effective to prevent undesired escape of liquid from the tank I in the event that the valve assembly below described becomes broken off or is improperly opened.

' The member Ii is provided with an upper flange l3 inwardly screw-threaded as at to receive the corresponding screw threads of the closure 50 cap 15, It will .beunderstood that when the parts are in the position in which they are shown in Figure 3,. any suitable cover plate, indicated in full, line in Figure 3 and in dotted line in Figure 1 as at 16, may be positioned at the top of II the well 3 whereby. outside access to the of which do not of themselves form not the plug H vented the interior of the loading he can then disconnect it from the tank and its outlet is prevented. l1 indicates a, fitting upwardly extending from the member 4 at one side of the passage 5. Mounted in it in any suitable manner is a slip tube gauge ill the details part of the present invention. l9 indicates a service gas outlet to the'regulator 20. The passage is continued as at 2| with the bend 22 and may extend outwardly through-the well as at 23 to any suitable point of use such as a dwelling house orthe like. I

Assuming that the'tank is somewhere near empty and that it is the wish of the operator to 1111 it, the cover plate I6 is removed and the loading valve assembly generally indicated in Figure 2 may be applied. The valve passage member 24 has a bottom ledge 25 which is adapted to engage the'gasket 26 when the closure I is removed. Its central aperture is somewhat greater than the exterior diameter of the plug ll so that it can be put in place or removed without disturbing the said plug. It may be locked in position by the wing-nut 21, the threads of which engage the threads l4 of the flange I3.

In communication with the upper end of the member 24 is a T having a side branch 29 screwthreaded as at some receive the valve housing I3 in which isany suitable valve controlled by the exterior handle 32. 33 is any suitable passage towhich may be secured a loading hose or line extending to a suitable source of supply. It will be understood in connection'with Figure 1 that a truck such as is shown in Figure 11 and later described in detail may be employed.

The upper branch 34 of the T is .alined with the passage member 24 and is of generally the same diameter. Slidable and rotatable in its end portion 35 is a stem 36 controlled by an exterior handle 31 provided with a squared portion 38 adapted to penetrate the correspondingly formed aperture 39 in the closure plug II. Spring balls 40 may engage apertures 4| in the plug whereby when the plug has been unscrewed by rotation of the handle 31 it may be upwardly withdrawn into the positionin which it is'sho in Figure 4. When withdrawn to the upper position by a sliding movement of the stem 36 in the end 35,, the upper balls 42 engage locking apertures 43 in the end member 35, as shown in Figure 4. The closure plug II is then held outof line of the flow between the'tank and the valve housing 3!.

When the operator is loading the tank and has applied the above described valve assembly, he can open the valve controlled by the handle 32 and permit the liquid to flow from the tank truck or other source of supply into the tank I. When the tank is filled, the operator then moves the closure plug into closing position and rotates it until it is tightly drawn downwardly against the gasket 26. He preferably then closes the valve in the housing 3| and before removing the valve assembly he vents its interior to draw ofl any pressure that may be therein. I

This venting may be performed through the venting aperture 45 controlled by any suitable valve structure generally indicated as 46 and controlled by an exterior handle 41. After he has valve assembly, flexible filling tube and'from the flange'l3. .Incidentally, the venting enables the operator to know whether or is screwed tightly in place, as if there is any escape about the plug I I it will cause passage 45 which is easily observable.

When the valve fitting is removed, the operator returns the closure [5 to the position in which it is shown in Figure 3 and closes the closure plate "5. Preferably, in order to prevent venting of inflammable gases to the atmosphere near the dwelling house, the operator will not disconnect the above described valve assembly from the hose connecting it to the truck until he has left the premises. Or, if the desires, he can leave the valve assembly at all times secured to the end of the flexible hose. It will be understood, of. course, that any additional 'valve means which may be necessary may be employed in connection with the flexible hose.'

Referring to Figure 11, we indicate a hose 48 with a valve 49 separating it from any suitable pump structure 50. Thus in efiect the hose 48 is provided with a valve at each end, since the valve controlled by the handle 32 closes the opposite end of the hose.

Referring to Figure 6, we illustrate a variant installation in which the tank I is provided with a pair of upwardly extending passages 5|, 52 of which one may be employed as the loading passage and the other as the return vapor passage.

a continuing flow outwardly through the vent In the present instance, 5| is indicated as the.

loading passage. It is closed at its bottom by any suitable check valve I60 shown in some detail in Figure 8. The bottom .of the vapor return passage 52 may be similarly closed by an excess vapor valve 53 generally indicated in Figure 7. As-these valves do not of themselves form part of the present invention, they are not described in detail.

At the top of each of the members 5| and 52 we illustrate one of the above described valve assemblies. fore need not be re-described. It will be understood, however, that-to the loading valve assembly indicated at A in Figure '6 any suitable passage may be secured, as indicated at 33.- Similarly, to the vapor return valve assembly indicated at I B in Figure 6, any suitable vapor return line 33a may be secured, to which in turn may be secured a flexible vapor return tube such as is shown at 48a in Figure 11.

In connection with the tank I of Figure 6, we illustrate a unitary gauging and supply passage indicated at 54. a It may for example be employed with a slip tube gauge 54a. In communication These may be identical and therewith the interior of the passage 54 is the service 7 gas outlet line 55 which passes through any suitable excess flow valve or valves 55a and thence to a regulator 56. From the regulator flows the service line 5] with its bend 58 which may extend outwardly through the well 3 to any suitable point of use. It will be understood that when the installation of Figure 6 is employed, the tank generally indicated as 60 in shown as mounted on truck wheels 6011, is connected to the installation in such fashion that Figure 11, and which is the pump 50' pumps liquid from the tank '60 through the line 48 into the loading valve assembly A and thence into the interior of the tank.

Meanwhile, any excess pressure of gas forming in the tank above the'liquid will flow-ofithrough the valve 53 to the passage 52, .the valve assembly B and the return hose 48a to the top vof the tank so.

A vapor check valve may be employed in connection with the tank 60 as shownat 6| and an excess flow valve 62. in connection with theliquid line from the interior of the tank 60 to the pump. Thus no unintended escape of liquid'gorgas can suitable fittings, such as the safety valve indi-- tank. It will be understood take place fromthe that any suitable means may be employed to drive the pump and it may for example-be driven as by a drive shaft 63 from the motor or engine of the truck. The truck may be provided with any cated as at 64. It will be understood that in describing the tank truck as shown in Figure 11, the same tank truck structure should be read in to the form of Figures 1 and 6/ When it is used inconnection with the form of Figure l, the vapor return line 48a is not used. Otherwise, the operation is the same. I

Referring more particularly to the tank installations as shown in Figure 11, and as shown in greater detail in the following figures, we illustrate a single passage member 10 extending upwardly from the tank within the well 3. Lo-

. that there is an escape of gas above described head or 16 in order to receive one of cated at the top of this passage which is shown in the form of a pipe or cylinder is a unitary head structure which maybe a casting and which ineludes a bottom flange'1l screw-threaded to the .top of the passage member 10. Extending outwardly fromrthe flange 11, as will be shown in Figure 15, we illustrate five separate lateral extensions or passages. Of these, 12 terminates in .an upward unitary nipple 13 inwardly screwthreaded as at 14 and provided with the ring 15 ,which is outwardly screw-threaded on the threads '14 and is inwardly screw-threaded as at the closure plugs II. In Figure 12 it is shown with the closure plug ll removed and with a valve assembly applied in place, which may be identical with the details of the assembly shown in Figure 3. 11 indicates an excess flow valve assembly screw-threaded into the bottom of the passage 13a of the member '13.

When loading, the liquid flows downwardly through the passage member 24 through the aperture in the ring 15 through the excess pressure valve 11 and through the passage 13b to the interior of the passage member 10.' If the valve assembly above described is broken or is unintentionally removed or is improperly manipulated so or liquid from the interior of the tank, this escape will promptly shut the excess flow valve 11- and prevent unintended escape of gas or liquid from the tank I.

The passage member 80 extending outwardly 'from the member 11 and forming part of the unit, has an interior passage 80a which communicates with the excesslvapor valve 81, the-ball of; which is downwardly urged normally by the spring 82 against any suitable holding clip 83. It will be understood that an excess fiow of vapor from the tank well 3, extending ring surface 84, while a normal flow of vapor .will have no effect at all upon the position of the ball.

85 indicates an upper nipple which receives a 15 as above described in connection with the nipple 13. The valve assembly including the portions 24 and 21 is shown in position but the plug II is shown as closed. The parts may be thus positioned when the vapor return line is not being employed and liquid is being'delivered through the loading valve assembly. As in Figure 6, the loading valve assembly is indicated generally at A and the vapor return valve assembly at B.

The service line for the house supply is indicated at90. It may' pass through the wall of the from any suitable regulator 9|. Above the regulator 9| is the passage 02 which extends to the valve unit 93 and communicates structure which may a point remote from the dwelling,

' mosphere near the with the interior of the above described head through the passages valve control handle adapted to control any suitable valve structure generally shown as at 96 whereby the flow of gas to the house may be positively cut off. 91'is the ball of an excess flow valve, the ball being normally held in open position by the spring 98 shown in Figure 16.

As shown in Figure 15, extending outwardly from the head or flange 1| is any suitable pressure gauge generally indicated as I00, the details of which do not form part of the present invention. I01 indicates a relief valve structure illustrated in Figure 14, the details of which do not form part of the present invention, which also extends outwardly from the flange1l.

[02 generally indicates any suitable gauge be of the magnetic type or of any other suitable type and which does not of itself form part of the present invention. It will be understood that all of the mechanisms above described communicate with the interior of the tank, so far as the form of Figure 11 is concerned, through the single passage member 10. The operator thus gauges, loads, draws off return vapor, and relieves excess pressure through a single upward passage or extension of the tank. And from the same extension the supply of gas for use is drawn off to the location where the gas is burned.

In the form of Figure 11, as in the other forms, the operator normally finds the loading and vapor return valve apertures closed by the plugs II and the covers IS. The operator when traveling by truck and filling from a truck, has the removable flow and return vapor valve assemblies with him on the truck. He-applies one or both as above described and fills the tank while venting such gas back to the truck as may be necessary. Before removing the fittings, he is careful to vent the interior of each fitting through the appropriate vent passage 45, thus himself from the pressure within the also makes it unnecessary to vent to the atmosphere near the dwelling the hose between the valve assembly and the truck. If the operator finds it necessary to remove the valve assemblies from the hoses, hecan do so at or he can simply leave the valve assemblies on the flexible, hoses ready for the next job; In any event, there is no 'need for exhausting or venting to the atdwelling any greater quantity of gas than is contained in the relatively small removable valve assemblies themselves. This amount of gas is insufficient to make any trouble or cause any unfavorable results.

Whereas, in all have illustrated gauges applied to the tanks protecting themselves, it will be understood that in the 94, 94a. 9515 an exterior I checking the tightness of the closure plug II and event we wish to gauge a tank which is not so supplied, we may employ the valve assembly shown in Figures 9 and 10 to which a slip tube gauge or the like may be employed. In Figure 9, in place of the valve assembly shown in Figure 2, we illustrate a variant assembly including the passage member H0, wing nut Ill, intermediate valve housing I12, valve H3, valve handle H4, and upper passage member H5. The upper passage member has the side passage H6 in .communication with the valve housing 1 which is the equivalent of thevalve housing 3| of Figure .3. H8 is a vent controlled by any suitable valve structure H8 with anfexterior handle I20 cor- "inove the end III closure plug II and I of Figure 10.

Slidably mounted in the plug I30 is the slip tube gauge I3I with its upper outlet I32 controlled by any suitable valve I33 with the exterior control handle 133. In the use of the slip tube gauge as a gauging and sampling device, the operator after he has tightened up the member I30 opens the valve I3 and slipsthe slip tube gauge down into the interior of thetank. He can then gauge the height of the liquid and can replace it with the plug sample it if necessary. It will be understood that the valve assembly of Figure 9 may be employed in connection with a loading valve assembly such as is shown in Figure 2. This arrangement particularly adaptable for use when the valve assembly of Figure 9 is connected with the vapor return line, which in this case may be connected beyond the valve housing III. This assembly may be used with tanks which are not fitted with excess fiow valves or in cases where excess flow valves are employed with means for permitting gauging through them.

For example, in Figure 13 we illustrate a variation of our invention in which a separate fitting I50 may be screw-threaded into a nipple I5I upwardly extending from the extension 12. The fitting I50 is removable and is provided with an interior aperture screw-threaded as at I52 to receive the closure plug II. It has an upper fiange I53 interiorly screw-threaded as at I54 to receive the wing nut 21. I It will thus be seen that whereas in Figure 12 we illustrate the removable valve assemblies as applied directly to the members I3 or 85, in the form of Figure 13 removable fittings may be interposed.

It will be realized that whereas we have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of our details of the units invention. We therefore wish our description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic rather than as limiting us to our precise showing.

In the ordinary operation of our device, it will be understood that the movable tank shown at 60 in Figure 11 may be employed in connection with the forms of our invention shown in Figures 1 and following, and 6 and following, and the said drawings should be interpreted as including such a tank 60 with the associated parts substantially as shown in Figure 11. The loading line 40 may extend from sucha tank 60 to the loading valve of the valve assemblies shown in said figuresv Figures 6 and 11, however, a vapor return line 48a of Figure 11 may be applied to or associated with the outlet 33a of the vapor return unit B. It will further be understood that the specific and following,

with the stem I22 and the I0, I I shown in Figures 12 invention. What we claim as our invention is the application to this particular unit of the removable valve assemblies herein described, shown and claimed, and of such modifications as are necessary for the adaptation of our valve assemblies to a unit which includes the members 10 and II of Figure 12 and the parts associated therewith.

We claim: 1. In combination with a tank having an aperture, a passage fitting for said aperture, a closure for the passage of said fitting, a passage member and means for removably securing it in relation to said fitting while said closure is in closed position, externally operable means for moving said closure with respect to said passage member into open position while said passage the present member is secured in relation to said fitting, a'

loading conduit and means for securing it in relation to said passage member, a valve coninterior of said passage member, an eduction pipe in communication with said aperture and exdo not of themselves form part of tending downwardly into said tank, and an excess pressure valve member supported by said eduction pipe.

2. In combination with a tank having anaper-. ture, a passage fitting for said aperture, a closure for the passage of said fitting, a passage member and means for removably securing it in relation to said fittingwhile said closure is in closed position, externally operable means for moving said closure with respect to said passage member into open position while said passage member is secured in relation to said fitting, a

loading conduit and means for securing it in relation to said passage member, a valve controlling said loading conduit and means for actuating it, a main service eduction pipe in communication with said aperture and extending substantially downwardly into saidtank, an excess pressure valve member, supported. by said eduction pipe, and a gauging and sampling, assembly in communication with the interior of said tank at a point removed from said aperture.

3. In combination with a tank having an aperture, a passage fitting forsaid aperture, a closure for the passage of said fitting, a passage member and means for removably securing it in relation to said fitting while said closure is in closed position, externally operable means for moving said closure withrespect to said passage member into open position while said passage member is secured in relation to said fitting, a

loading conduit and means for securing it in relation to said passage member, a valve controlling said loading conduit and means for actuating it, an eduction pipe in communication with said aperture and extending downwardly into said tank, and an excess pressure valve member mounted on said eduction pipe, said tank having an additional aperture and a gauging and sampling assembly removably secured in relation to said additional apertureand including a gauge member adapted to be inserted through said additional aperture into the interior of the tank.

4. In combination with a tank having an aperture in the tank shell, a passage fitting for said aperture, a closure for the passage of said fitting,

a passage member and means for removably securing it in relation to said fitting, while said closure is in closed position, externally operable means for moving said closure through said pas- 76 sage member and into open position, while said passage member is held immovable and secured in relation to said fitting, a loading conduit and means for securing it in relation to said passage member, a valve for said loading conduit and means for actuating it, a gauging and sampling assembly, means for removably securing it in relation to said passage member, said assembly including a. gauging and sampling member adapted to be downwardly inserted through said passage member and passage fitting into the interior of said tank, an additional closure means in said passage member. adapted to close said passage member during the application of said gauging and sampling assembly to or its removal from said passage member.

- 5. In combination with a tank having an aperture in the tank wall, an access well extending outwardly from the wall of the tank, a nipple outwardly extending from said aperture into said well, a removable closure for the outer end of said nipple, a passage member and means for removably securing it in sealed relation to said nipple and about said aperture,- while the closure of the nipple is in closed position, externally operable means 'for moving said closure through said passage member into open position while said passage member is secured in relation to said fitting, a loading conduit and means for securing it in relation to said passage member, a valve for said loading conduit and means for actuating it, additional means for venting the interior of said passage member, an eduction pipe in communication with said aperture and for controlling the nipple and extending downwardly into said tank, and an excess pressure valve member associated with said eduction pipe.

6. In combination with a buried tank having an aperture in the tank shell, an access well extending downwardly toward the top of the tank, a nipple extending upwardly from said aperture into said well, a removable closure for the upper end of said nipple, a passage member and means for removably securing it to said nipple while the closure of the nipple is in closed position, externally operable means for moving said closure through said passage member and into open position while said passage member is secured in relation to said fitting, a loading conduit and means for securing it in relation to said passage member, a valve for said loading conduit and means for actuating it, an eduction pipe in communication with said aperture and nipple'and extending downwardly into said tank, and an excess pressure valve member associated with said eduction pipe.

'7. In combination with a tank having an inlet, a closure for, said inlet, a passage member and means for removably securing it in sealed rela-.

tion about said inlet while said closure is in closed position, externally operable means for moving said closure through said passage member and into open position while said passage member is held immovable and secured in relation to said inlet, a loading conduit and means for securing it in relation to said passage member, a valve passage of liquids or fluids through said conduit, an eduction pipe in communication with said inlet and extending downwardly into said tank, and an excess pressure valve member associated with said eduction pipe.

8. In combination with a tank having an inlet, a closure for said inlet,- a passage member and means for removably securing it in sealed relation about said inlet while said closure is in loading conduit and means relation to said passage member, and a valve for controlling the passage of liquids or fluids closed position, externally operable means for moving said closure through said passage member and into open position while said passage member is secured in relation to said inlet, a for securing it in through said conduit, said tank having an additional aperture and a gauging and sampling tube slidably mounted therein separate, from said passage member, whereby it may be inserted into and removed from the interior of the tank, and an outlet valve for said gauge tube.

9. In combination with a tank having an inlet, a closure for said inlet, a passage member and means for removably securing it in sealed rela tion about said inlet while said closure is in closed position, externally operable means for moving said closure through said passage member and into open position while said passage member is secured in relation to said inlet, a loading conduit and means for securing it in relation to said passage member, and a valve for controlling the passage of liquids or fluids through said conduit, said tank having an additional passage member communicating therewith, a gauging and sampling tube slidably mounted in said passage member, whereby it may be inserted into and removed from the interior of the tank, and a service outlet for said tank in communication with said passage member.

10. In an installed tank system for volatile liquids, and means for filling it, a normally fixed tank, a single hollow passage unit in communication with the interior of and extending from said tank' and having a plurality of apertures, removable closures for said apertures, a removable loading valve assembly, a removable vapor return valve assembly, means for removably securing said assemblies separately in relation to said apertures in said single passage unit while said apertures are closed, means for opening the closures of said apertures after said valve assemblies have been applied and while said valve assemblies remain stationary, a'removable supply tank and a truck therefor, a loading line extending from said tank to the loading valve assembly, a valve intermediate said loading'valve assembly and line, a vapor return line extending from said tank to said vapor return valve assembly,- and a valve intermediate said vapor return line and, said vapor assembly.

11. In an installed tank system for volatile liquids and means for filling it, a normally fixed tank, a single unitary passage unit extending from said tank and having a plurality of apertures, removable closures for said apertures, a

- for venting the interiors of said valve assemblies.

12. In an installed tank system for volatile liquids and means for filling it, a normally'fixed tank, a single unitary passage unit extending from said tankand having a plurality of apertures, removable closures for said apertures, a 76 removable loading valve assembly, a removable vapor return valve assembly, means for securing said assemblies in relation to said apertures in said passage unit while said apertures are closed, means for opening the. closures of said apertures through said valve assemblies after they have been applied, a loading line and means for removably securing it to the loading valve assembly, a vapor return line and means for removably securing it to said vapor return valve assembly, valves for said loading and vapor return lines,

and gauging means for gauging the depth of said tank and having a plurality of apertures and being fully open to the interior of said tank, removable closures for said apertures, a. removable loading valve assembly, a removable vapor return valve assembly, means for securing said assemblies'in relation to said apertures in said passage unit, While saidjapertures are closed, means for opening the closures of said apertures through said valve assemblies after they have been applied, a loading line and means for removablysecuring it to the loading valve assembly, a'vapor return line and means for removably securing it to said vapor return valve assembly,

valves for said loading and vapor return lines, and a gas supply line extending from said single passage unit to the point of use.

VIRGIL I. HOOPER. -LOUIS'G. HOOPER. 

